Generation Xcel

Cruising through Jeremy Del Rio's history:

In February 1996... thirteen young people joined Jeremy, then 21 years of age, to design and staff Xcel as volunteers. At the outset, they were instructed to think constructively about neighborhood problems and creatively about solutions. They then harnessed that creativity and were challenged to do something to implement their ideas and strategies. Generation Xcel became their something, their vehicle for community outreach and renewal.

I wonder how many kids get into big messes simply because they are with the wrong crew. This bio page of the founding members of Generation Xcel is inspiring. At age 21, Jeremy was the oldest.

I look at these bios and think of our own neighborhood kids. I've been around here long enough to watch some kids make it and other kids not. I admire those kids who make it. My young friend Danny is cutting hair as a business in his basement now at age 17. He said to me, "It beats hanging out in the streets." I just straight up admire that.

Reading these bios for Generation Xcel, it seems like one group of kids got together and decided to make the right choices together. I want that kind of thing for our kids.